Etah (UP): The main accused in the liquor tragedy has been arrested even as the death toll from the alcohol poisoning climbed to 21 on Sunday.
The main accused Sripal was arrested from Nayagaon area on Saturday night, Superintendent of Police Ajay Shankar Rai said.
Several people from Luhari Darwaja and adjacent Laukhera village consumed the liquor late Saturday evening which led to the death of Netrapal (35), Ramesh Shakya (36), Sarvesh (25), Ateeq (31) and Ram Autar, police said.
Charan Singh, Sobaran Singh (60) and Chini (30) died at the district hospital this afternoon, while Vipin (40) died at Agra Medical College. DIG (Range) Govind Agarwal has confirmed the toll.
Five more persons, namely Dharmpal, Pramod Yadav, Mahipal and Ram Singh died at different hospitals in the area, District Magistrate Ajay Yadav said.
Additional Superintendent of Police Visarjan Sigh Yadav said the number of persons taken ill was being investigated.
Locals claimed that 12 other persons were also taken ill after drinking the hooch, out of which six lost their eyesight.
Meanwhile, a group of agitated locals blocked the Etah-Farrukhabad route and kept the bodies of Ateeq and Ramesh on the road.
District Magistrate Ajay Yadav said an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each would be given to the families of the deceased.
In Lucknow, Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal apprised Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of the incident.
He directed Principal Secretary (Excise) and Principal Secretary (Home) to take stern action against officials found guilty of dereliction of duty.
Singhal directed senior officers to reach the spot and ensure proper treatment of those taken ill.
"Taking serious note of the incident, district excise officer, excise inspector and an excise personnel have been suspended with immediate effect," Principal Secretary (Excise) Kishan Singh Atoria said.
Principal Secretary (Home) Debashish Panda said Circle Officer Aliganj Asaram Ahirwar and Station House Officer Mukesh Kumar have been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty.
He has directed the officers to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future.
(With PTI inputs)
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